Dr. Banarsi Lal
The Earth is the most unique planet because it developed the most intelligent life called as the human race. It is the priceless gift from God. Environmental and climate literacy is the engine not only for creating the environmental and climate laws and policies but also to promote green technologies. It is worthwhile to mention here that our Earth planet is losing the 15 billion trees every year i.e. around 56 acres of forest in every minute. Many species are going extinct rapidly. With our efforts we can protect hundreds of species. Lack of environment education has led man to be harsh to nature. There is dire need to empower everybody with the knowledge to inspire action in defense of environmental protection. “The Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs but not every man’s greed”- Mahatma Gandhi. Our Earth is the most beautiful planet and is the only planet in the solar system that has life. Man has relationship with the mother Earth. There is dire need to protect the mother Earth because the whole world is facing the problems due to environmental degradation and global warming. There is need to connect the people with the nature across the globe for the safety of present and future generations. It is estimated that if the present consumption and production pattern remains the same with the rising population at an alarming rate then we will need three planets to sustain our ways of living and consumption.
The Earth is the principle source of all the essential nutrients for all the living organisms on the planet. We need to conserve the Earth natural resources including air, water, soil, minerals, plants, animals etc. All the things we need to survive come from the natural resources. There are 7 continents on planet earth. Every human being has only one dream which is to live better, to eat better and to consume better. But most of them do not care for the planet Earth. Now we are more than 7 billion but we have only one planet to live and survive. We have limited food, limited place and limited shelters. If we keep on using natural resources as we are doing every day, a day will come when our own grand children shall be forced to live homeless with full of hunger. So it’s better to consume the natural resources with care and responsibility. Thus, we should stop the wastage and use the natural resources according to our need not on our greed. Each of us knows the importance of nature. It consists of all the living beings on the earth, which are mutually interdependent on each other. But due to the excessive pollution including plastic pollution caused by human beings, many species are becoming extinct and the global climate is also changing at a very rapid rate. The changing climate is inversely affecting our health and also going to give a long-term effect on our future generations. We know that millions of people on the Earth depend on forest for their livelihood. Every living being is dependent on plants and trees. Only the plants and trees can make our food. But, we people are degrading the forests in a rapid rate. Of all the planets the Earth is considered as the luckiest planet in the universe because it is the only planet where life became possible. Beautiful life developed on this planet whether that is in the form of humans, animals, plants or marine life. But the human race lost its humanity and used the Earth’s resources ruthlessly.
Weather patterns are changing and are threatening the food production, the sea levels are rising and can cause catastrophe. It has been estimated that by 2030 food production will need to double and industrial output and energy use will increase three times in the world and five times in the developing nations. This growth can bring the risk of appalling environmental damage. It can also bring with it better environment protection, clean air, water and eradication of poverty. Environmental damage affects the present and future human welfare. There is need to establish a sustainable development process. Environmental aspect assumes great significance in growing deforestation, soil erosion, land degradation, water pollution, biodiversity loss and the like which continue to worsen economic development of India. The common property resources which are mostly natural resources must be protected for the overall growth of the nation. Such efforts for preserving the natural resources not only lead to optimum utilization of natural resources but also generate more employment for the people. This initiative requires people’s participation. For instance, afforestation activities cannot be successful without the help of local communities. The relationship between development and environment is well established. There is dire need of awareness among the people on environmental issues. Environmental quality is an integral part of development. Without environmental ethics development is simply undermined. Natural resources are the wealth of any nation. Presently they are facing environmental hazards due to various reasons.
The population of human beings is growing enormously. Billions of people are using the natural resources quickly. The continuation of life is possible with the natural resources. Sustainable development is focused on any kind of betterment that should not harm the environment so that the well being of future generations is guaranteed and the harmonious relationship environment and development is sustained. The process of sustainable development tries to build social and economic progress satisfying the needs and values of the social groups without foreclosing future options. Rio-Earth Summit (1992) highlights the view that socio-economic development and environment protection are interdependent and mutually reinforcing processes. Recently, the healthy rural environment has encountered divergent environmental hazards as an addition to their existing issues of social and economic hardships. Such threats badly affect the local community which is the impetus behind research for alternative sources such as cultivation in marginal lands. It constitutes a growing class of environment refugees. Sustainable development is felt as a necessary intervention to fight against poverty, unemployment and other complicated problems. Sustainable rural development can promote growth and equity simultaneously and also promote the development of democratic process at the grass root level by creating awareness on social forestry, soil conservation, population control, protection of tanks, rural energy management, biodiversity, popularization of eco-friendly activities etc. Sustainable development on the one hand benefits local people and safeguards the flora and fauna of a particular region on the other. Common property resources can generate more employment opportunities.
The sustainability of development for the people should dexterously and lucratively aim at motivating the people to get involved in community action and to ensure their participation in diverse and numerous environmental protection and optimum utilization of natural resources. People’s participation plays an inevitable role in driving the fruits of development schemes. It is an important instrument to augment the empowerment of the people. It increases the worthiness of the project by means of achieving a steady and balanced growth from within the best use of natural resources. Environmental issues cannot be solved unless the local people take part in it. Their participation will help in promoting wildlife conservation, afforestation and also in employment generation. Protection of environment is mainly in the hands of the people. On this particular day, let us pledge to do whatever we can to do to protect this beautiful planet. We can avoid using our car on this day and save petrol and free the atmosphere from some pollution. We can recycle the papers and stop using plastic bags. We should make collective efforts to protect the mankind. Taking care of Earth is not just responsibility, it’s necessity. We have to be not only technologically and economically literate but also environmentally literate. Protection of nature must be prioritized.
(The writer is Sr. Scientist & Head of KVK, Reasi SKUAST-J).
